Official Trailer for ‘Casino Jack’ Starring Kevin Spacey

As Oliver Stone’s 2008 narrative film W. demonstrated, portraying recent politicians on screen is a risky maneuver. In a country that is completely divided on political issues there will inevitably be people on either side of the aisle willing to go up in arms over the defamation of “their guy.” The latest film that will be set to divide audiences is George Hickenlooper’s Casino Jack, not to be confused with Alex Gibney’s documentary from earlier this year Casino Jack and the United States of Money.

Casino Jack is a narrative film starring Kevin Spacey as Jack Abramoff, the lobbyist who is thought to be responsible for much of the success and corruption within the Bush administration. Based on the first trailer that was released this week the film seems to be a mixed bag of political satire and ironic comedy. My prediction is that the film will go along the way of comparable films W. and Men Who Stare at Goats and not be a major player in any of the season’s awards chatter.

Check out the synopsis below and let me know what you think of the trailer.

Twoâ€“time Academy Award Winner Kevin Spacey gives the performance of a lifetime in CASINO JACK, a riotous new film starring Spacey as a man hell bent on acquiring all that the good life has to offer. He plays in the same game as the highest of rollers and resorts to aweâ€“inspiring levels of conning, scheming and fraudulent antics to get what he wants. Inspired by true events that are too overâ€“theâ€“top for even the wildest imaginations to conjure, CASINO JACK lays bare the wild excesses and escapades of Jack Abramoff. Aided by his business partner Michael Scanlon (Barry Pepper), Jack parlays his clout over some of the world’s most powerful men with the goal of creating a personal empire of wealth and influence. When the two enlist a mobâ€“connected buddy (Jon Lovitz) to help with one of their illegal schemes, they soon find themselves in over their heads, entrenched in a world of mafia assassins, murder and a scandal that spins so out of control that it makes worldwide headlines.

About Alex Carlson

Alex started Film Misery in early 2009 after living the site’s title for many years. His film obsession began in high school when he and his friends would see all of the Oscar Best Picture nominees and try to make predictions...Full Bio.